Toasting Gaylord's best

GAYLORD - "Every year we say this. It will be the best (Alpenfest) yet," event President Christopher Hebel said Tuesday at the annual Alpenfest Honors Luncheon hosted by the Otsego Club.

Tuesday's luncheon was the community's first chance to publicly recognize those being honored during the 41st Alpine celebration. Buergermeister Bob Harden was joined by parade marshal Bruce Brown and Bill Marshall, representing this year's honored industry, Crossroads Industries Inc.

It was an occasion not even the mischievous herr Gessler could rain on.

"I'm continually amazed at how many people put on the clothes and immerse themselves in the feel of Alpenfest," Hebel said.

"When I was growing up we always had to come up here," said Sen. Tony Stamas, R - Midland. "(Alpenfest) reflects the amount of pride in Gaylord and community involvement." Stamas was joined at the luncheon by Rep. Kevin Elsenheimer, R - Bellaire.

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2004 Alpenfest Queen Sarah Smith presided over her final event Tuesday night at the queen pageant, but said at the luncheon it's been a memorable year.

"I think I'm almost more nervous now," said Smith, "giving up my crown, saying goodbye to my community." Smith leaves this fall to return to college